The Binge Cases: Scary Terri
Episode: The Mysterious Death of Devereaux Cleaver
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Host: Jonathan Hirsch
Producer: Cooper Mall
Executive Producer: Catherine St. Louis
Production Team: Scott Somerville, Zoe Culkin, Tracy Lee, Tameka Balance Kolasny, Sammy Allison
Legal Team: Rachel Goldberg, Lauren Pagoni
Special Thanks: Steve Ackerman, Emily Rasek, Jamie Myers

Introduction

In the chilling episode titled The Mysterious Death of Devereaux Cleaver, investigative reporter Jonathan Hirsch delves deep into a series of enigmatic deaths connected to Terri Hoffman, a spiritual leader based in Dallas, Texas. Spanning from 1977 to 1989, the episode unravels how Hoffman, often dubbed the "Charlie Manson you’ve never heard of," may have orchestrated a web of manipulation and deceit leading to multiple untimely deaths.

The Tragic Loss of Devereaux Cleaver

A Promising Young Life Cut Short

[02:02] Narrator: "When I started looking into a string of mysterious deaths in Dallas, Texas in the 1970s and 80s, I had no idea what kind of madness, carnage and darkness I'd find there."

Devereaux Cleaver, a bright and loving 14-year-old, appears to be the first victim in this series. Her tragic death during a vacation to Hawaii sets the stage for uncovering deeper, more sinister connections.

[02:43] Gail Cleaver: "Tall, long, beautiful, curly blonde hair. Like Chuck used to say. She had legs all the way to Bakersfield."

Devereaux's stepmother, Gail Cleaver, provides a heartfelt description of Devereaux, emphasizing her innocent and vibrant nature.

The Fateful Swim

[02:54] Narrator: "Sandra and Devereaux had gone swimming that day after lunch."

The day of the incident was marked by an ill-advised decision to swim in a lagoon near their Hawaii hotel, an area notorious for treacherous currents and sharp coral reefs.

[06:22] Gail Cleaver: "They had gathered Sandra up off of a coral reef, bleeding all over. But Devereaux was missing."

The disappearance of Devereaux amidst the chaos raises immediate suspicions about the possibility of foul play rather than a mere accident.

Terri Hoffman: The Enigmatic Spiritual Leader

Building Influence

[10:35] Gail Cleaver: "Her vulnerability hit her terribly. She lost her father in an airplane crash. And she lost her 16-year-old sister, younger sister, in an automobile crash within a two-year period of time."

Sandra Cleaver's alignment with Terri Hoffman stems from her profound personal losses, making her susceptible to Hoffman's influence.

[10:54] Narrator: "Terri was a kind of spiritual life coach."

Terri Hoffman, a heavyset woman in her 40s with piercing brown eyes, leads the Conscious Development of Body, Mind and Soul, Inc. (CDBMs), attracting followers through seminars on reincarnation and spiritual energies.

[11:22] Terry Hoffman: "Oh, Terry. Yeah. You know, the more I get to know about this, it's just thrilling to think of all this help. And it is nice."

Despite her unassuming exterior, Hoffman's words had a captivating effect on her disciples, including Sandra Cleaver.

Manipulative Tactics

[08:22] Gail Cleaver: "Are those items that are used to control and combat shield against black lords on both the Fifth Amendment."

Hoffman's control tactics included the use of bizarre artifacts and psychological manipulation, making it challenging to directly link her to the series of deaths.

[12:21] Terry Hoffman: "At any point in time in your life, you've been negative, then what happens is you. You attract negative elementals and elementaries to you when you're negative."

Her teachings emphasized elimination of negativity, which often translated into control over her followers' personal lives and decisions.

Blended Family Dynamics and Rising Tensions

Formation of the Blended Family

[08:44] Narrator: "From Sony Music Entertainment. This is scary. Terry. I'm Jonathan Hirsch. Chapter one. The Mysterious Death of Devereaux Cleaver."

Chuck Cleaver and Gail Cleaver form a blended family with Devereaux, navigating the complexities of step-parenting amidst external pressures from Terri Hoffman.

[09:50] Gail Cleaver: "She was impacting their lives big time."

Hoffman's influence strained the Cleavers' relationship, especially as Sandra's allegiance to Hoffman grew stronger.

Custody Battles and Suspicions

[16:16] Gail Cleaver: "But the first time that Sandra Cleaver has visitation rights. We fear for your daughter's life."

The custody battle over Devereaux intensified as Chuck sought full custody to shield Devereaux from Hoffman's growing influence. Lawyers on both sides expressed concerns over Sandra's mental stability and Hoffman's manipulative reach.

The Final Vacation and Devereaux's Disappearance

Preparation for Hawaii

[24:21] Gail Cleaver: "Chuck was very cautious. He did not like this. But Devereaux really wanted to go. She wanted to go with her mother."

Despite Chuck's reservations, Devereaux's desire to spend quality time with her mother led to the fateful trip to Hawaii.

[25:59] Gail Cleaver: "She knew she was going to Hawaii soon and she wanted to say goodbye."

Gail recalls the last time she saw Devereaux, highlighting the eerie premonition surrounding the upcoming tragedy.

The Day of the Tragedy

[26:23] Gail Cleaver: "They had gone for a picnic."

On February 25, 1979, Sandra and Devereaux ventured into the dangerous waters of Wailupe Peninsula, ignoring posted warnings against swimming.

[26:39] Gail Cleaver: "And they went to the windward side of the island. And as it turns out, there were posters all over that beach marked, do not enter the water. No swimming."

The decision to swim in such treacherous conditions raises suspicions about Sandra's intentions and Hoffman's possible involvement.

[27:10] Gail Cleaver: "But Devereux, Devereaux and Sandra went out holding hands, singing Somewhere over the Rainbow, which was Devereux's favorite song from wizard of Oz."

The serene image contrasts sharply with the imminent disaster, deepening the mystery.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Return to Dallas and Immediate Aftermath

[28:14] Narrator: "She thought, why the hell was Terry Hoffman calling us?"

Upon returning to Dallas, Chuck discovers Devereaux's body on a plane, leading to immediate doubts about the nature of her death.

[28:30] Gail Cleaver: "He wouldn't let me go with him."

Chuck's solo investigation begins to uncover inconsistencies and potential links to Terri Hoffman.

[29:55] Gail Cleaver: "That's right. Yeah, I remember that, he said. It was like a curtain came over her. She became a different person, almost as."

Hoffman's sudden and unexplained presence during their grief suggests deeper manipulation at play.

Financial Exploitation and Manipulation

[32:40] Narrator: "Devereux's will, a will that she had written that Chuck didn't know anything about."

A mysterious will reveals that Devereaux had allegedly donated all her assets to Terri Hoffman, further cementing suspicions of coercion and exploitation.

[33:06] Gail Cleaver: "Because there's no smoking gun."

The absence of concrete evidence makes it challenging to directly link Hoffman to the deaths, relying instead on patterns of control and influence.

A Web of Murders and Mind Control

[33:16] Narrator: "I go searching for answers. I got through unscathed, mostly unscathed. But the rest of them, they just went down."

The investigation reveals a dozen connected deaths, all with potential ties to Terri Hoffman and her CDBMs group.

[33:28] Narrator: "She'll have my children killed."

Families of the deceased allege that Hoffman employed mind control tactics, drained their finances, and orchestrated circumstances leading to their demise.

[34:08] Narrator: "Unlock all episodes of Scary Terry ad free now by subscribing to the Binge Podcast channel."

The episode culminates in questioning whether Terri Hoffman was behind these orchestrated tragedies, painting her as a formidable and elusive antagonist.

Conclusion

The Mysterious Death of Devereaux Cleaver serves as a haunting exploration into the dark underbelly of spiritual manipulation and its deadly consequences. Through meticulous storytelling and compelling firsthand accounts, Jonathan Hirsch invites listeners to ponder the true extent of Terri Hoffman's influence and the sinister patterns that may lie beneath seemingly isolated tragedies.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [06:22] Gail Cleaver: "They had gathered Sandra up off of a coral reef, bleeding all over. But Devereaux was missing."
• [07:19] Gail Cleaver: "My theory is my brain, what I think was supposed to happen. This is just me and my brain thinking it's not a fact. I think they were both supposed to die that day."
• [08:22] Gail Cleaver: "Are those items that are used to control and combat shield against black lords on both the Fifth Amendment."
• [10:35] Gail Cleaver: "Her vulnerability hit her terribly. She lost her father in an airplane crash. And she lost her 16-year-old sister, younger sister, in an automobile crash within a two-year period of time."
• [11:22] Terry Hoffman: "Oh, Terry. Yeah. You know, the more I get to know about this, it's just thrilling to think of all this help. And it is nice."
• [16:16] Gail Cleaver: "But the first time that Sandra Cleaver has visitation rights. We fear for your daughter's life."
• [19:03] Character Voice: "Oh, just like a sister. Amazing. Loved her. She was certainly more soft spoken and more shy than I am, but so kind and just loved all the, all the things that a young girl would love."
• [22:42] Character Voice: "I feel like she never felt like she had her mother's attention and her mother's love that most people would perceive as normal at the age that she was."
• [26:39] Gail Cleaver: "And they went to the windward side of the island. And as it turns out, there were posters all over that beach marked, do not enter the water. No swimming."
• [33:06] Gail Cleaver: "Because there's no smoking gun."
• [33:28] Narrator: "She'll have my children killed."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Binge Cases: Scary Terri masterfully intertwines personal tragedy with a broader investigation into a series of mysterious deaths. By presenting credible testimonies and intricate details, it invites listeners to engage deeply with the unsettling possibility that Terri Hoffman orchestrated these events through manipulation and control. As the layers of deceit peel away, the true horror lies not just in the deaths themselves but in the pervasive influence of a malevolent leader cloaked in the guise of spiritual guidance.

Subscribe to The Binge Cases:
Stay updated with all episodes of Scary Terri and more gripping true crime stories by subscribing to The Binge Cases on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com. Feed your true crime obsession today!